2002 Mazda 323 1.6L Petrol · LD52 UXR

The most recent MOT on 2023-01-17 showed the vehicle passed but highlighted recurring suspension and brake issues. Nearside and offside headlamp lenses were slightly defective, and front and rear brake pads were wearing thin. These findings align with earlier patterns of wear but did not trigger a failure. The 2022-11-04 MOT, however, resulted in a failure due to multiple corrosion-related issues, including severely deteriorated anti-roll bar dust covers, corroded suspension mounting areas, and brake pads below 1.5mm thickness. The 2022 failure also noted a door that could not be opened from the inside, a critical safety concern. A consistent pattern of corrosion in rear inner suspension component mounting areas is evident across multiple MOTs from 2020 to 2022. While some issues were classified as "not excessive" in earlier years, the 2022 failure described "excessive corrosion significantly reducing structural strength," indicating a worsening condition. Brake pad wear also progressed from minor thinning in 2023 to critical failure in 2022, suggesting potential neglect or accelerated wear. The vehicle’s low mileage of 46,885 miles over 24 years equates to approximately 1,954 miles per year, which is below average for its age. This could reflect light use, but it may also indicate periods of inactivity, which can exacerbate corrosion and component degradation.